2:British film and theatrical director MIKE LEIGH (pronounced "Lee"). In the United States he's best known for his more recent films "Life is Sweet" "High Hopes" and "Naked." Though he's been making films for British television and theatre for nearly 30 years. His social-realist comedies depict British working class life. He begins work on his films without a script, piecing them together from improvisations with his cast. His latest film is "Secrets & Lies." MIKE LEIGH is also the subject of a new book "The World According to Mike Leigh" by Michael Coveney (HarperCollins).INT 3. Actress/singer BERNADETTE PETTERS. She has a new album, "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" (Angel/EMI Records). She made her theatrical debut at the age of 9. Since then she's been on Broadway with "Sunday in the Park with George," "Into the Woods." She's starred in 14 movies including, "Silent Movie," "The Jerk," "Pennies from Heaven" and "Impromptu."

Copyright 1996 Fresh Air